Labbous nearly doubles, closes in on dual national championships
The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series was in full force this past weekend during the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway. Frank Aragona and John Labbous Jr., both moved closer to national championship rings with final-round victories Sunday.Â
Aragona, Freehold N.J., squared off against Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national Comp points leader David Rampy of Piedmont, Ala. Aragona took the starting line advantage and powered his way down the strip to victory, running 7.388 seconds, 171.31 mph; Rampy 7.354 seconds, 160.94 mph.
Labbous, White House, Tenn., took the Super Comp final-round win, outrunning Amanda Boicesco, Warminster, Pa. Labbous nearly doubled up but fell short to Dean Mathauser, Newport News, Va., in a double breakout during the Super Gas final round. Labbous is the points leader in Super Comp and Super Gas.
Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., came from behind to score the final-round victory in Top Alcohol Dragster after giving up the starting line advantage to Corey Michalek of Columbus, Ohio. Cowie peaked at 5.295 seconds, 272.39 mph; Michalek runner upped at 5.399 seconds, 267.27 mph.
Top Alcohol Funny Car points leader John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., got off the line first but faced traction issues and could not recover as Andy Bohl of Racine, Wyo., took home the national event Wally trophy at 5.556 seconds, 268.60 mph. Lombardo came in second at 5.786 seconds, 267.91 mph.
Todd Ewing, Vinemont, Ala., also was very close to doubling up but broke out against Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, in the Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs final round. Albert clocked in at 6.890 seconds, 199.82 mph for his Top Sportsman win. However, in the Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs final round, Ewing triggered a great reaction time (.008 second) and held off Barry Brown, Blountville, Tenn., for the win. Â
The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were Nicholas Chiles in Super Stock and Kenneth Stott in Stock.
The following are the final results from the 10th annual NHRA Carolina Nationals at zMAX Dragway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., 5.295, 272.39 def.Â
Corey Michalek, Columbus, Ohio, 5.399, 267.27.Â
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Andy Bohl, Racine, Wyo., Chevy Camaro, 5.556, 268.60 def.Â
John Lombardo Jr., Brea, Calif., Camaro, 5.786, 267.91.Â
COMP ELIMINATOR
Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., Roadster, 7.388, 171.31 def.Â
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., Roadster, 7.354, 160.94.Â
SUPER STOCK
Nicholas Chiles, Fredricksburg, Va., Chevy Cobalt, 9.082, 149.85 def.Â
Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., Â Chevy Camaro, 9.808, 135.43.Â
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kenneth Stott, Landrum, S.C., Chevy Camaro, 11.673, 105.92 def.Â
Mickey Whaley, La Grange, N.C., Camaro, 10.688, 122.41.Â
SUPER COMP
John Labbous Jr, White House, Tenn., Dragster, 8.989, 145.41 def.Â
Amanda Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., Dragster, 7.974, 127.96.Â
SUPER GAS
Dean Mathauser, Newport News, Va., Pontiac GTO, 9.895, 153.04 def.Â
John Labbous Jr, White House, Tenn.,Chevy Corvette, 9.882, 161.04.Â
TOP SPORTSMAN presented by RacingRVs
Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, Chevy Camaro, 6.890, 199.82 def.Â
Todd Ewing, Vinemont, Ala., Camaro, 6.799, 198.96.
TOP DRAGSTER presented by RacingRVs
Todd Ewing, Vinemont, Ala., Dragster, 7.226, 177.74 def.Â
Barry Brown, Blountville, Tenn., Dragster, 7.666, 164.87.Â